You should go, Mr. Veech, if circumstances permit. I traveled to Swan Point in the early 70's and immediately walked to Lovecraft's grave without a map! Great memories are made from such journeys.

"Pigeons From Hell" is a 20th century Classic of horror fiction. And Howard wrote a lot more...a lot of fine tales.

I'll read "Pigeons From Hell" next. I just finished "The Black Stone," which was fantastic.

"In a less scientific age, he would have been a devil-worshipper, a partaker in the abominations of the Black Mass; or would have given himself to the study and practice of sorcery. His was a religious soul that had failed to find good in the scheme of things; and lacking it, was impelled to make of evil itself an object of secret reverence."

I really liked "Pigeons From Hell," but the title is extremely misleading. It should've been called "The Blassenville Manor." Aside from that, it's a classic Southern Gothic tale.

"In a less scientific age, he would have been a devil-worshipper, a partaker in the abominations of the Black Mass; or would have given himself to the study and practice of sorcery. His was a religious soul that had failed to find good in the scheme of things; and lacking it, was impelled to make of evil itself an object of secret reverence."

Chrissy Hynde liked the title well enough lol. She used it in "Back on the Chain Gang." Personally, I like it very much.

I wonder if Howard himself was not responsible for the title. After all, it was published after his death, not to mention the fact that a lot of his work has been modified since the 1960s, I believe.

"In a less scientific age, he would have been a devil-worshipper, a partaker in the abominations of the Black Mass; or would have given himself to the study and practice of sorcery. His was a religious soul that had failed to find good in the scheme of things; and lacking it, was impelled to make of evil itself an object of secret reverence."

The title was Howard's. He heard of the old legend from a black maid or cook at the Howard home (I forget which) and it fascinated him.

I always loved the title.

The story actually made me think of our family farm, which was located 20 minutes from the Howard residence. I'd heard about Howard from my grandfather, but I had no ambitions to become a writer at that time, so I didn't appreciate the happenstance. All controversy aside, the South has a rich and interesting history. It would be a shame not to write about it in the future. Other books, after all, can only take one so far.

"In a less scientific age, he would have been a devil-worshipper, a partaker in the abominations of the Black Mass; or would have given himself to the study and practice of sorcery. His was a religious soul that had failed to find good in the scheme of things; and lacking it, was impelled to make of evil itself an object of secret reverence."